According to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC ), large format printer (LFP) shipments declined 4% when compared to the third quarter of 2014.
"The third quarter is often the slowest quarter of the year in the global wide format business while the fourth quarter is often the strongest, as many print-for-pay shops take advantage of aggressive end-of-year manufacturer promotions. While aqueous inkjet printer shipments declined, shipments of large format UV and eco-solvent printers grew in the third quarter based on some model-end clear outs and price cuts. While Latex shipments declined slightly worldwide in third-quarter 2015 compared to third-quarter 2015, Latex printer shipments grew 5% year to date in 2015," said Tim Greene, research director, at IDC.
The large format CAD/Technical printer market segment was soft in third-quarter 2015, with shipments down in every region when compared to the third quarter of 2014. However, new products from the top suppliers were introduced in third-quarter 2015 that should drive a recovery in this segment in the fourth quarter and into 2016.
On the large format graphics side, new large format graphics printer shipments declined 1% on year in third-quarter 2015. The decline of conventional aqueous inkjet graphics printers was offset somewhat by nearly 20% growth in large format UV-curable printers when compared to third-quarter 2014.
IDC said the softness in the CAD/Technical market impacted Hewlett-Packard (HP) somewhat, but HP is by far the top supplier of large format digital printing systems worldwide. HP saw sales grow in the Latex and UV segments in third-quarter 2015. Canon meanwhile remained number two among large format printer vendors with market share of approximately 21% of worldwide shipments when Canon and Canon-Oce units are combined.
Epson also maintained its position as the number three worldwide supplier to the large format digital printer market. Epson is seeing nice growth in the dye-sublimation and technical printer segments and re-launched its eco-solvent inkjet printer units at the recent SGIA show.
Roland DG is the fourth-ranked supplier of large format printers worldwide based on its strength in the eco-solvent market and growing presence in UV and dye-sublimation. Roland also recently launched the new SOLJET EJ-640, a new flagship eco-solvent printer, said IDC.
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
